JG, sorry, did not mean to imply that the girl is the liar here, only giving an alternative explanation for why she might pursue the press-charges avenue if Kobe is not lying. Big if, at this point.
Absolutely bill, your point was valid, she could have manipulative motives. I just have a feeling, given past cultural examples; she may be a bit smarter than that. Here's a bit of my reasoning Monica Lewinsky -- She loved the spotlight, still does. Now and forever, she will always be known as the girl who serviced the president and became a punch line to jokes worldwide. Her family's name is forever a slang term for sexual activity and she'll never be taken seriously. Plus, who would ever want to seriously date Monica Lewinsky and bring her home to their parents? Whether we are seeing it now or not, there's must be complete and total destruction to her family. We must presume for the moment, since we do not have evidence to the contrary (and the district attorney feels this is a very strong case,) that this girl was assaulted, violated and has been harmed in some way. She's hurt, she's probably embarrassed and most likely, ridiculously frightened. Her name is already out there I can't find it on google like rcade did though and sooner than later, she'll be full thrust into the spotlight and have to answer a lot of questions. She'll lose her anonymity; she won't be able to live a regular life for a long time. The details of her short life will be raked over and scrutinized. People will be judging her based on her looks, her upbringing and her brief past. If these charges are correct, she's going to have to deal with all of this, plus heal emotionally and physically from the assault. As in so many sexual assault cases, the victim seems to have become the perpetrator. Neither party is going to leave this case unscathed, no matter how it is settled or what the jury decides. I liked Kobe. As a role model for children, as a public example of gentility and class, I have a bit of trouble with him being an admitted adulterer. Like I said, celebrity public personas are a smoke screen. OJ used to be a great guy in the public eye too. He did those hilarious Naked Gun movies, enthusiastically leaped over luggage in Hertz commercials and was a spirited game announcer. Who knew he was beating his wife to a pulp at home?
It's the media, not Kobe's lawyers, responsible for the 'low blow' and good or bad that's their job. I stand corrected, kloeprich. According to the link you provide its her friends disclosing the dirt to the local newspaper. Nice friends, huh? And though the complete facts are still being compiled, if I were the defense attorney, which have doubtlessly interviewed the 'friend', somehow leaking this sort of information has greatly improved my client's chance of acquittal. Sorry for the speculation but this is how these things work sometimes; its the court of the public, and I'd be willing to guess(obviously) the type of money Kobe can spend on a lawyer, said lawyer is going to use every means available. I am curious about your earlier comment about how the table was set for a settlement. What manueverings denote such a strategy?
Purely speculation on my part. Kobe was awful quick to come public with the fact that he'd had sex with the girl at all, it appeared to me a preemptive strike aimed at maybe making the whole thing go away. The more I read the less sure I am of that. And I completely agree with you about how Kobe's legal team could and probably will handle things. Any discussion has to allow for the fact that this girl may be emotionally or psychologically off-kilter. A lot of people have latched on to the fact that because the DA seems so secure in the case there must be something there. But actual physical evidence can be very hard to come by in cases like this (Kobe's admitting that he did indeed have sex with her makes things even more difficult) and DA's often make their decisions to prosecute based on the potential strength of the victim's testimony. Someone who's emotionally strung out (for reasons other than alleged incident) might present as a very strong witness when there are actually other factors influencing her testimony. It's the defense's job to be sure the jury is fully aware of these things.
The Kobe admitting that he slept with the woman, is nothing but step one in his defence, I think, becuase it is simple to prove that sexual contact was made, he can freely admit to boning her, which looks very honest in the public eye, and start painting the picture of a mistake that's being taken advantage of by a woman who sees a financial opportunity. I'm sure any lawyer would tell you that you don't settle a case until you are sure your going to be charged with something - in the court of public opinion a settlement is an admittion of guilt. And that's what this is all about, no doubt - money and perception. Must say that I'm a little skeptical of the charges. He's 24 with several millions, good-looking and famous. Guy has to duck from all the pussy being thrown at him. Why would he have to take it? I don't feel sorry for him, but I damn sure can't imagine that I could resist any more than he evidently couldn't. Men, rich or not, we can be easily led by the dick. Kobe's been so clean for so long that its either because, he's managed to keep his daliances quiet, or he got sloppy - but it's not because he's a choir boy. Gimme a break.
plus, who would want to seriously date Monica Lewinsky? Guilty.
dude, other people can read that.
Vito and I have the same taste, I think. Well, it doesn't appear this girl has any thought of backing down. This has just been amazing to watch, and I still think it's going to take nothing less than a trial to clear Kobe's name. I don't think many of us have been thinking about this, though. What will the Lakers do if Kobe is gone for the season?
Also, this column is the best summation I've read of what really makes me sick about all of this.
Here's an interesting coddle perspective.
Thanks Garfield, I think Taylor hit it on the head. Kobe wasn't out lurking behind a dark corner trying to rape some women. Basically, he thought (From his coodled perspective) she wanted it and proceeded in that fashion. At some point she flipped out, maybe before the sex, maybe during the sex, maybe after. Taylor is right, pro athletes aren't necessarily the smoothest with women. I've seen MJ in action and he has no rap (Zero) and spends most of his time ass grabbing and licking women's cheeks when he goes to kiss them on the cheek. I have a question, does Kobe seriously think he is going to be able to play this season? It will be the media circus of all media circuses wherever the Lakers travel, forty-one times during the season (not counting the playoffs), it ain't going to happen.
There's a link above to a USA Today article about what the Lakers might do without him this year.
